Improving Memory

The ability to recall information is often a problem for many people during examinations, interviews and other times where an efficient memory is required. Many techniques have been invented to aid memory improvement. Most of these are effective and gradually improve a person’s memory if practised frequently. All known principles of recall have been tested, although most people still return to the same elementary association technique when wishing to learn new information. This ‘Association’ technique takes advantage of the human imagination, allowing information to be stored in a way which is highly memorable to the person learning it.

 

Using Associations in everyday life

Creating associations is an enjoyable way of learning information. It is especially effective if a set of unrelated words must be recalled.

Sofa

Bird

Toothbrush

Tree

Smile

Rock

Collar

Pizza

Hamster

Lamp

 

The words in the list above are unrelated and may be difficult to recall. By using associations, a memorable order can be created, e.g. the sofa had a large bird sitting upon it – the bird was brushing its teeth with a toothbrush! Creating such a memorable scenario allows the brain to recall many unrelated words – a daunting task without the use of associations. Using this method of recall is particularly useful as it allows verbal information to be attached to a visual image from our memory, (most people would find it relatively easy to create a mental image of a bird sitting on a sofa brushing its teeth.) Humorous connections and links derived from a personal experience are more memorable, e.g. painting a smiley face on a rock as a young child. The connection between smile and rock may be stronger here as it is stored in the long-term memory.

 

This technique can be used effectively when studying for exams or learning new occupational skills. Simply write the information needing to be learnt, using associations to create links. E.g. For an Ecology exam a person needs to recall the following information. ‘Charles Darwin popularised the theory of ‘Natural Selection’. This highlighted the importance of fitness for reproduction and evolution. Nowadays, breeders can choose the most desirable qualities by selecting those with suitable traits, e.g. milk production in cows’. The words in italics are the important terms which need to be linked. Simply write a list and create links between each term - ensure these links are memorable. ‘E.g. It was Christmas time and Charles Darwin (the great scientist) was working on creating a selection box out of natural materials – he had heard about global warming! He was a fitness fanatic, drinking only milk and eating only vegetables.’ The links can be as crazy as possible, so long as they are personally memorable. This technique has proved invaluable in exam revision, allowing subject matter to be recalled in a personal and enjoyable way. Please persevere with the technique and enjoy creating wonderfully quixotic scenarios. As always –‘practise make perfect.’

Filed Under: Memory